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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 10 · Chapter 11: The Childhood Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa

10.11.4 10.11.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.11.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 10.11.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न ते तदुक्तं जगृहुर्न घटेतेति तस्य तत् ।

बालस्योत्पाटनं तर्वो: केचित्सन्दिग्धचेतस: ॥ ५ ॥

na te tad-uktaṁ jagṛhur

na ghaṭeteti tasya tat

bālasyotpāṭanaṁ tarvoḥ

kecit sandigdha-cetasaḥ

Translation

Because of intense paternal affection, the cowherd men, headed by Nanda, could not believe that Kṛṣṇa could have uprooted the trees in such a wonderful way. Therefore they could not put their faith in the words of the boys. Some of the men, however, were in doubt. “Since Kṛṣṇa was predicted to equal Nārāyaṇa,” they thought, “it might be that He could have done it.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Paternal Affection and Wonder at Kṛṣṇa

1
Because of intense paternal affection, the cowherd men headed by Nanda could not believe that Kṛṣṇa had uprooted the trees.
2
They thought it impossible for such a small boy to have done this. Therefore they could not accept the boys’ account.
3
Some remembered that Kṛṣṇa had been predicted to equal Nārāyaṇa and considered that He might have done it. These different considerations left them in a dilemma.

Key points from the purport

One view was that it was impossible for a small boy like this to have done such a thing as pulling down the trees.
But there were doubts because Kṛṣṇa had been predicted to equal Nārāyaṇa.
Therefore the cowherd men were in a dilemma.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Worry and play → Parental tenderness. The Supreme becomes the beloved child of His devotees.

Chapters 5–11 of Canto 10: Gokula, Yaśodā and the infant Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 11: The Childhood Pastimes of Kṛṣṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Some of them, however, thought that it might be true, since they had already seen many wonderful incidents in connection with Kṛṣṇa. Anyway, Nanda Mahārāja immediately released Kṛṣṇa from the ropes.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 10.11

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nanot
teall the gopas
tat-uktambeing spoken by the boys
jagṛhuḥwould accept
na ghaṭetait cannot be
itithus
tasyaof Kṛṣṇa
tatthe activity

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Īśānukathā · The science of God
Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 10.11
In this verse: “nanda”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How did paternal affection shape the cowherd men’s understanding of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Write down the two considerations that left the cowherd men in a dilemma.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPaternal Affection and Wonder at KṛṣṇaThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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